HB2565 Summary

• Establishes a pesticide disposal collection program administered by the Department of Agriculture in consultation with the Department of Health to provide free or low-cost disposal of restricted and nonrestricted use pesticides for bona fide agricultural entities.

• Requires disposal locations on six islands (Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu) with the program to be implemented no later than June 30, 2021.

• Creates a steering committee comprised of the advisory committee on pesticides, a Hawaii Agriculture Research Center representative, and other entities deemed necessary to guide and monitor the program.

• Appropriates $800,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2020-2021 to establish and operate the pesticide disposal collection program.

• Increases administrative and criminal penalties for pesticide violations: raises administrative penalties from $5,000 to $10,000 for registrants and distributors, and from $1,000 to $5,000 for private applicators; raises criminal fines from $25,000 to $35,000 for registrants and distributors, and from $1,000 to $5,000 for private applicators.